City Departments

SUBJECT: Two new exhibitions explore themes of weather and immigration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
6/28/2013 10:00:00 AM

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Calandra Childers (206) 684-7306

Two new exhibitions explore themes of weather and immigration
To Give in Return is on view July 1 through Sept. 6 at Seattle City Hall
Atmospheric Weather is on view July 3 through September 30 at Seattle Municipal Tower

SEATTLE — The city will open two new exhibitions in gallery spaces at Seattle City Hall and Seattle Municipal Tower in the first week of July. Seattle City Hall will feature an installation of artworks by artists who have immigrated either from the U.S. to Mexico, or from Mexico to the U.S (July 1 through Sept. 6). A selection of artworks at Seattle Municipal Tower focuses on an atmospheric, weather-related theme and includes a number of Seattle and Northwest artists (July 3 through September 30). Both exhibitions are open and free to the public.

Seattle artists Juan Alonso, Fulgencio Lazo and Jesús Mena will exhibit their artwork alongside Ponciano Germán Vargas Martínez Kum-Baash, Oswaldo Ramírez and Shinzaburo Takeda of Oaxaca, Mexico in a selection that varies in style and medium, but is unified by the artists’ commitment to making work that has a purpose and gives hope, as well as the artists’ commitment to a life of service. The exhibitionincludes more than 30 original acrylic and oil artworks on canvas and wood, monotypes on paper, and mixed media. Accompanying the works are excerpts in which the artists discuss the themes of reciprocity and community. While three of the artists now call Seattle home and three currently reside in Oaxaca, Mexico, all six were shaped by the formative experience of immigrating to new communities. As one of the artists, Jesús Mena, states, “Our communities might change, but the idea of ‘giving in return’ lives on.”

To Give in Return is on view in the City Hall Lobby Gallery and Anne Focke Gallery (located on the L-2 level of City Hall), 600 Fourth Ave. Gallery hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The exhibition and color brochure were made possible through the support of the University of Washington American Ethnic Studies Department, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, Seattle Oaxaca Connection and the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Nearly 50 new artworks in the city's Portable Works Collection will be presented in a two-part exhibitionat Seattle Municipal Tower. The artworks, by 33 regional artists, have weather conditions as a theme and include paintings, photographs, hand-cut paper, textiles, works on paper, ceramics, collage and sculpture.

The artworks were purchased with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) 1% for Art funds. SPU's collection is exhibited throughout its offices, engaging its employees and visitors by helping to create an interesting and diverse work environment. Seattle’s Portable Works Collection rotates more than 2,800 artworks in all media throughout the city’s offices and public spaces.

Office of Arts & Culture | Making art work.
We envision a city driven by creativity that provides the opportunity for everyone to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences. We are supported by the 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council.